Forty-seven University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been selected for the Undergraduate Certificate in Sales Excellence Program in the College of Business. Through the credential offered by the Center for Sales Excellence, students sharpen communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills sought by employers.
The group of new inductees represents nine majors and four colleges across campus. Admission to the program, open to all students at Nebraska, requires a résumé, a minimum GPA and a statement of interest. Once admitted, students begin courses taught by sales and marketing faculty in the College of Business the following semester.
“We’re excited to welcome one of our largest and most motivated groups yet,” said Chad Mardesen, interim director of the Center for Sales Excellence and associate professor of practice in marketing. “Most of these students are sophomores, which gives them more time to take advantage of the program, from internships and networking with partner companies to participating in our events.”
Nearly all students in the program secure jobs before graduation. Companies that recently hired program graduates include Dell, Deloitte, Gallup, HubSpot, Mutual of Omaha, Oracle, Union Pacific and Walt Disney Company. Several corporate partners connected with the new inductees during the ceremony to discuss internships and career opportunities.
“The center continues to grow and attract national attention,” Mardesen said. “Well-known companies across many industries recruit here because they know our students have the skills to succeed. Each new class brings energy and drive, and we’re continually impressed by what they accomplish during their time at Nebraska and in their careers after graduation.”
Founded in 2013, the Center for Sales Excellence has been named a top university for professional sales education by the Sales Education Foundation every year since 2014. Students in the program also compete at national and international sales competitions and connect with corporate partners for hands-on experiences.
The students pursuing their Undergraduate Certificate in Sales Excellence are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s).
NEBRASKA
Elkhorn: Abigail Beaton, senior, marketing; Mia Butler, junior, marketing; Andrew Knobbe, junior, finance and marketing; Tyler Murphy, sophomore, marketing
Grand Island: Drew Haith, junior, management; Madeline Tompkins, sophomore, marketing
Gretna: Lauren Langfeldt, sophomore, business administration
Hastings: Addie Demuth, sophomore, marketing
Kearney: Claire Gangwish, sophomore, management
Lincoln: Adison Markowski, junior, marketing; Avery Meyer, junior, marketing; Ellie Volk, junior, advertising and public relations
Milford: Gavin Dunlap, sophomore, finance
Nebraska City: Grace McNeely, sophomore, business administration
Norfolk: Tanner Eisenhauer, sophomore, finance
Omaha: Jad Almazloum, junior, marketing; Cole Butler, junior, finance and management; Elizabeth DeSmet, junior, finance; Dominic Duggan, senior, finance; Luke Hoskinson, sophomore, business administration; Jacob Hove, junior, finance; Cameron Humlicek, junior, marketing; Grant Meisgeier, sophomore, accounting; Joey Rieschl, junior, finance; Matthew Roumph, junior, business administration; Riley Ultican, freshman, marketing; Grant Venner, sophomore, agribusiness
Seward: Rachel Kuss, junior, finance
Spalding: Klayton Kleffner, sophomore, marketing
Wahoo: Barrett Lavaley, junior, marketing
Walthill: McKinley Morgan, junior, finance
Waverly: Ellie Bentjen, sophomore, marketing
ELSEWHERE
Pasadena, California: Ava Lee, sophomore, management
Chicago, Illinois: Alex Burns, sophomore, management and marketing
Crystal Lake, Illinois: Ella Conlon, sophomore, accounting
Wichita, Kansas: Kenzli Turner, junior, marketing
Chanhassen, Minnesota: Sam Annis, sophomore, business administration; Sophie Bauman, junior, nutrition and health sciences
Circle Pines, Minnesota: Claire Zandstra, sophomore, marketing
Luverne, Minnesota: Sarah Stegenga, sophomore, accounting and marketing
Prior Lake, Minnesota: Nora Pleimling, junior, marketing
Stillwater, Minnesota: Korinne Smith, sophomore, business administration
Victoria, Minnesota: Ben Reiff, sophomore, marketing and finance
Fargo, North Dakota: Olivia Duval, junior, marketing
West Fargo, North Dakota: Isabella Dukart, sophomore, marketing
North Sioux City, South Dakota: Grace Meyer, sophomore, finance and marketing
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Greyson Bortnem, sophomore, construction management
